Why:
The Commanding General of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Brig. General David Papack, took the initiative to organize this training exercise to acquaint local public safety agencies with Marine Corps equipment, communications, and personnel, which may be made available in the event of a disaster.

The agencies listed will participate in the 3-day exercise, which begins today. The last day, July 20th, will begin with the news conference and culminate with scenarios presented for the media. Scenarios will demonstrate inter-agency cooperation and equipment capabilities.

An itinerary for the news conference and the scenarios is listed below:

This exercise will simulate the response of local public safety, supported by a local contingent of US Marines, Marine Aircraft Group 46, following an 8.0 earthquake that struck July 18, 2006, two days earlier. The earthquake shut down freeways, railways, roadways, communications, water supply and electrical power.